When Florida Gov. Rick Scott visited Los Angeles last week to promote his state as more business friendly than California, among his more curious stops was with the Valley Industry & Commerce Association. Scott spoke to an audience of 100 people on April 13 at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills at an event promoted by the Sherman Oaks business advocacy group. So exactly why would an organization that seeks to build local businesses want to give a platform to an out-of-state politician wanting to take business away? VICA President Stuart Waldman said that inviting Scott to speak at the Leaders Forum is consistent with past practices. “We bring in people that members want to hear from,” Waldman said. “We have members who do business in Florida. We have members who are interested in Republican politics.” Scott, 62, a Republican, was first elected governor in 2010 and re-elected last year. He had worked in health care and private equity before turning to politics. Past speakers at the Leaders Forum include L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti, Lt. Gov. and former San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, Sen. Barbara Boxer, former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and GOP Senate candidate Carly Fiorina. During his talk, Scott made comparisons between Florida and California. He mentioned how there is no state income or capital gains tax and that Florida’s corporate income tax is lower than California’s. He also promoted the state’s port systems as alternatives to the L.A. and Long Beach ports. In other words, what Scott had to say about the poor business climate in California with its heavy regulations and taxes was not new to VICA members, Waldman said. – Mark R. Madler